I liked the idea of being a writer from the moment I saw my poems in print in the school magazine. For years I combined employment with writing columns, articles and non-fiction. Then the writing bug took over completely, and I turned to fiction. The result has been the Shameless novels, describing the crazy and romantic adventures of ‘my wife’ Caroline; and now The Catch, inspired by a sports-mad mad Englishman who met his Australian future wife at a cricket match. I live in England with a wife who insists she isn’t called Caroline.My latest book My latest book is a novella for Steam eReads, The Catch. The story combines my two great loves, romance and sport. Alana Carragher is experiencing a transformation from ugly duckling to swan, but is still is locked into her teenage dream of lusting after a cricket hunk, the poster boy Captain on her bedroom wall. Over the five days of a dramatic Melbourne Ashes test match, she is faced with a choice between either following her teenage dream or getting to know the funny English guy in the row behind her at the MCG. The ten things I like most about being a writer 1. Going to the pub and calling it ‘character development’. 2. Walking the dog and returning home with a plot twist. 3. Taking a holiday somewhere hot for ‘research’. 4. Making up stories and calling it ‘work’. 5. Writing a first draft. Now that really is the fun bit! 6. Re-writing, editing, and saying, ‘It’s finished.’ 7. Getting feedback from a reader. Good, bad, or indifferent, it all helps. 8. Not having a boss. Nicola at SteameReads, publisher of ‘The Catch’ is just called Boss. 9. Waking up in the morning and wanting to get to my desk. 10. Seeing the finished product on Amazon with a cover and thinking, ‘Did I really write that?’The rivalry on the pitch was mirrored by a raucous dialogue in the crowd between representatives of the opposing nations. The English, a mixture of tourists, ex-pats, and fanatical barmies, had turned up in sufficient numbers to make it a real contest. Daniel and Merv, Alana’s older brothers, rose to the bait dangled by the lone Pom in the row behind. Louis confidently announced that the Aussies would be out by lunch. Alana scoffed and Louis had to pay for his bravado throughout the afternoon and evening sessions as Australia piled on the runs. But the Carragher’s jibes were water off a duck’s back. A grin remained fixed on Louis’s face. He was having the time of his life. A year in Australia doing post-grad research was, he explained to Alana, his idea of having died and gone to heaven. “I admit your captain knows how to hold a bat,” conceded Louis soon after tea. “But we’re only letting you get a few runs to make it more interesting.” The Australian batsman illustrated Louis’s comment, confirming he knew how to hold a bat by hitting a powerful six, which soared towards them. The crowd roared, but Alana could still hear a low whistle as the ball cut through the air. Her brothers leapt up and stretched to catch the ball but it was over their heads. Louis stuck up a hand and the ball smashed into his palm. He couldn't hold it, but he knocked it skywards. Alana jumped from her seat, fixing her eyes on the bright red cherry. She stretched out an arm and completed the catch just before the ball was grounded. The plastic seats, vacated by her brothers, cushioned her fall. She stood up and cradled the warm hard ball in her hands for a second, running her fingers over the rough seam. It felt like a message from her hero. She threw the ball strongly to the fielder on the boundary. The action was captured by one of the many cameras positioned around the ground, and replayed on the big screen. The crowd cheered. Alana took a bow, and that was replayed too. She high-fived with her brothers and turned to Louis. “You English guys need more fielding practice.” “I’m seriously impressed,” said Louis. “That was some catch.”Buy at Amazon Steam eReadsAll Romance

Perfect timing, Robert! Tuned in to the Ashes in Melbourne today! My dad used to support the Poms (being one himself) and the rest of us cheered the Aussies. It always made for an interesting time when they faced one another! Best wishes for this novella.